Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.

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2010 Holiday Crackdown

November 29 - January 3

Last December, 753 Americans were killed in crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest is a nationwide campaign aimed to prevent similar tragedies through a combination of high visibility law enforcement and public education.

GHSA's member State Highway Safety Offices work closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), law enforcement and other highway safety partners to execute the program. This year, a few states are using NHTSA's “No Refusal Weekend” tool kit to help law enforcement officials work with prosecutors and judges to quickly obtain “blood draw warrants” for drivers who refuse breathalyzer testing. This helps ensure prosecutors obtain the evidence needed to effectively pursue cases involving alleged impaired driving.

Specific state enforcement and education efforts are listed below. For more information on a particular state, contact the state's media contact. State drunk driving laws and additional resources are available on the Drunk Driving Laws page. General information about the campaign is at www.stopimpaireddriving.org.

Alabama—The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs's (ADECA) Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety Division (LETS) is providing support for the Alabama Department of Public Safety to ramp up its traffic safety enforcement from Dec. 10 - Jan. 2 in a concentrated effort to reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities. Law enforcement agencies are concentrating on those violations, times and locations that contribute most to the state's fatality rate (seatbelt violations, DUI, speeding, following too close, etc.). Public safety officers have been directed to “think outside the box” for ideas to curb crashes and increase driver awareness. The Department of Public Safety is informing the public of the enforcement blitz and notifying the courts to prepare for an increase in citations. ADECA is working with the local law enforcement agencies to solicit their participation.

Alaska—During the holiday season, multi-jurisdictional saturation patrols are taking place throughout Alaska, especially on the roadway between Fairbanks and Homer, the main transportation surface for more than 88% of the population. The Bureau of Highway Patrol and several police departments are using enforcement and traffic data, traveling in packs throughout targeted territories searching for impaired drivers. An aggressive statewide media campaign supports the crackdown by reaching high risk drivers through their favorite television and radio stations, reminding them that impaired driving is unacceptable and offenders will be arrested. Earned media has begun through a monthly radio talk show with the Commissioners of Public Safety and Transportation and Public Facilities.

American Samoa—American Samoa has a drunk driving task force that conducting saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints as part of the collective efforts. Nighttime enforcement will include 65% of the force. During the day, enforcement will be at 35% with the motorcycle squad.
Incentives are being offered at roadblocks, and the territory is using ribbons in support of drunk and drugged driving awareness. K-9 units are also being utilized for the first time ever in the territory
The campaign kicks off with a public awareness media event in conjunction with the Department of Social Services and Village Police.

Arizona—On Nov. 26, Arizona’s 12 statewide DUI Task Forces began enforcement details consisting of saturation patrols and checkpoints throughout the states. Last year 4,465 DUI arrests (including 509 drug arrests) were made during the holiday season by 67 law enforcement agencies. This year, from Thanksgiving through the first weekend in December there were 639 DUI arrests and 92 DUI drug arrests made by participating agencies of the statewide DUI Task Force. The Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) is supplementing the enforcement campaign with two slogans reminding people not to drink and drive: Drive Hammered…Get Nailed! and Get a DD…Not a DUI!.

Arkansas—Arkansas law enforcement officers are working overtime conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols during a highly visible Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. mobilization Dec. 20 - Jan. 2. A statewide media buy includes radio, TV and Internet ads targeting 18- to 34-year-old males. The Arkansas Highway Safety Office is distributing a statewide news release and posters on selected college campuses and restaurant districts. The Highway Department is displaying messages statewide on changeable message boards.

California—The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) holiday DUI campaign kicks off with four regional press designed to alert the media and Californian drivers about the stepped up DUI enforcement patrols taking place. The campaign includes several community and corporate partnerships, including collaboration with UC and CSU campuses, regional grocery store chains, Papa Murphy’s Take-N-Bake Pizza, NBA Golden State Warriors, Buckhorn Grill and Live Nation Entertainment. Advertising and public service announcement placements include advertising at gas stations, on billboards, and on taxi cabs, along with English and Spanish radio ads and TV ads with new Office of Traffic Safety partner Univision TV. California is enhancing its social media program via the OTS Facebook page with various contests and quizzes including a “mocktail” recipe contest. OTS is also producing and providing designated sober driver “gift cards” to be handed out to drivers at more than 250 DUI checkpoints.

Colorado—The Colorado State Patrol and 70 law enforcement agencies are conducting a special “Heat Is On” holiday DUI crackdown. The Colorado Department of Transportation is once conducting its “Plan Ahead Colorado” campaign to encourage party-goers to arrange safe, sober transportation in advance of holiday celebrations. Colorado residents are encouraged to visit www.PlanAheadColorado.com to make a pledge to drive safely this holiday season. Those who enter are eligible to win a free night in Denver, including a hotel stay, dinner for two and a town car for the evening. This site also gives people tools and information to help them enjoy the holidays responsibly, including: a list of bars and restaurants partnering with the state to distribute free cab vouchers, a list of hotels offering a discounted rate, overnight parking options, and public transportation alternatives such as free bus and light rail rides on New Year’s Eve.

Connecticut—Connecticut is conducting a comprehensive traffic safety media campaign including television, radio spots, billboards and bus panels. This campaign supplements the national media buy. Three state-specific TV commercials are being broadcast which reinforce the seatbelt safety message, and discuss the dangers of impaired driving and speeding. The Connecticut DOT has awarded 84 comprehensive DUI enforcement grants to state and local law enforcement agencies for the holiday travel period. Included in this effort are saturation DUI patrols and mmore than 78 planned DUI checkpoints throughout the state. Also, 23 variable message signs will display the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. message on major interstate highways during the season. Super Bowl Sunday was also included as a pre-approved mobilization date for all law enforcement agencies that applied.

Delaware—The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is conducting nine sobriety checkpoints and has scheduled more than 325 roving DUI patrols and 130 aggressive driving patrols. Paid media includes radio, cable TV, billboards, indoor advertising, and Internet ads. In addition to paid media, OHS also is sprinkling in some messages in shopping mall food courts and recording a jingle for the radio. Earned media includes weekly press releases of enforcement activity results, media advisories on partnerships with four hospital trauma departments. Each is housing a DUI Victims' Tree in the hospital or ER lobbies. These trees being with white lights, which are replaced by green lights for each alcohol-related injury or red lights for each alcohol-related fatality, and weekly press releases are sent out updating these numbers through New Year's Eve. In addition, "mocktail" parties are being held with area business, towns, and hospitals. Mocktail parties are non-alcoholic cocktail parties that provide safety information, responsible party hosting tips, and samples of “smart” party foods.

Florida—Florida is conducting a variety of local impaired driving awareness events. The State DOT, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol, and local law enforcement agencies all are conducting media events across the state. Law enforcement agencies are running DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols from December 16 through Jan. 2. Law Enforcement Liaisons are helping coordinate these many efforts.

Georgia—More than five hundred Georgia police agencies are conducting DUI road checks and patrols to keep families safe on the road this holiday season. The state's Operation Zero Tolerance (OZT) enforcement mobilization runs Dec. 17 through Jan. 2. The Governor's Office of Highway Safety's (GOHS) is also launching a Thunder Task Force initiative targeting a county with some of the highest traffic fatality stats in the state. This is a three month program to reinforce local jurisdictions with increased state-coordinated traffic safety enforcement, focusing on DUI during the mobilization.
GOHS Director Bob Dallas joins trauma surgeons and DUI victims to kick off the campaign with a news conference at a Savannah trauma center. Other news conferences are being held around the state to announce regional high visibility crackdown activities.
GOHS is supplementing its radio and TV paid media campaign with live radio announcements during traffic reports and University of Georgia football game broadcasts. UGA Coach Mark Richt begins every home game with a JumboTron stadium message: “Hang-Up...Buckle-Up...and Drive Sober so everyone has a safe trip home.” GOHS is also targeting drivers in high-risk, Hispanic, and minority communities with gas pump-topper ads at neighborhood convenience stores, and is using Facebook to reach millions of 18- to-34 year old high-risk drivers online.

Guam—The Guam Office of Highway Safety has several activities planned for December, designated Drunk-Drugged-Driving (3D) month, with the campaign kicking off on Friday, Dec. 3. The Guam Police Department
and Airport Police Division are holding several DUI checkpoints through the month. Outreach activities include appearances on media talk shows and at local schools, as well as a mall display and exhibit.

Idaho—While all Idaho law enforcement agencies are stepping up impaired driving patrols, 71 are dedicating overtime patrols during the state's impaired driving campaign, running from Dec. 18 - Jan. 3. The emphasis areas are on: keeping families safe on the highways by raising awareness of DUI enforcement; urging the public to plan ahead if they are going to drink; and reminding them to always wear their seat belts.
Media coverage starts Dec. 5 and includes a television a public service announcement with the message "If You Don't Know If You Are Safe to Drive, Then Don't"
For radio coverage, the message is "Just to drive sober."
Outside billboards have a split message: the left side asks "Have a Designated Driver?," and the right side answers with "Law Enforcement Will Provide One."

Illinois—Illinois’ is continuing its focus on lowering the overwhelming proportion of alcohol-involved and unrestrained fatalities that occur late at night. More than 200 state and local law enforcement agencies are conducting impaired driving and late night safety belt enforcement details, including roadside safety checks and safety belt enforcement zones. In addition, some jurisdictions will conduct “No-refusal” details whereby law enforcement requests a warrant to draw the blood of a suspected DUI offender who has refused to be tested. Earned media messaging focuses on the costs of impaired driving and unbuckled injuries and fatalities. All media efforts feature both the Click It or Ticket and You Drink & Drive. You Lose. messages. Enforcement-based news events are being conducted in several media markets around the state prior to the Christmas weekend, along with a two-week comprehensive media campaign including radio, cable and broadcast TV, online, out-of-home and Internet advertisements reminding motorists that if they are caught driving impaired or unbuckled at night, they will be arrested and/or ticketed.

Indiana—Indiana's Traffic Safety Division is providing a media advisory template to the 35 DUI task force agencies throughout the state. The advisory informs the public that law enforcement across the state are conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols over the holiday period.

Kansas—Both local law enforcement and the Kansas Highway Patrol are increasing enforcement activities (checkpoints and saturation patrols), and Kansas is taking advantage of earned media opportunities during the holiday crackdown period. Media messages are being broadcast during basketball games at the three large universities. Additional impaired driving radio ads are being placed throughout the month to get the message out about the consequences of drunk driving, specifically losing driving privileges and spending time in jail. In conjunction with its many partners, the Kansas Traffic Safety Office is also promoting programs that provide free rides home for individuals who have been drinking.

Kentucky—Law enforcement agencies across Kentucky are conducting traffic safety checkpoints and additional traffic patrol enforcement efforts through the holiday period. The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is distributing a statewide press release warning drivers of the dangers of drunk driving and preparing them for the increase in law enforcement. Radio and television public service announcements will air statewide promoting the Over the Limit. Under Arrest message. The campaign will also be featured on the OHS website. Additionally, the office has partnered with WLEX-TV as a sponsor of the Safe and Sober campaign, promoting free taxi rides during the holidays.

Louisiana—The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is working with 87 law enforcement agencies to implement stepped up saturation patrols and DWI checkpoints through December. More than 50 impaired driving checkpoints are expected to be implemented throughout Louisiana during the holiday period, and multiple jurisdictions are now implementing "No Refusal" policies. Supporting media and educational outreach programs are enhancing the enforcement activities, and the Commission is optimistic that the efforts will reduce impaired driving incidences, saving lives on Louisiana's roadways.

Maine—The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety's (MeBHS) sustained holiday impaired driving enforcement campaign runs Nov. 22 - Jan. 31. Thirty-three local police departments, eight county Sheriffs' offices, and the Maine State Police are participating. $200,000 has been awarded to these departments to fund overtime enforcement efforts. Participating agencies are using sample press releases from NHTSA's Holiday Enforcement Planner to notify their communities of stepped up enforcement efforts. The MeBHS kicked off the national enforcement crackdown period (Dec. 16-Jan. 3) with a press event on Dec. 8 at the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office headquarters. Representatives from the MeBHS, the Maine Sheriffs Association and the Maine Chiefs of Police Association spoke, and law enforcement agencies conducted a mock roadblock. A Christmas tree with ribbons to represent every fatality to date in 2010 was on display during the event.

Maryland—The Maryland Highway Safety Office (HSO) has several activities planned for the holiday season, including asking all highway safety professionals and law enforcement agencies across the state to promote the message: Report Drunk Drivers. Call 911. Saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints in high risk jurisdictions are taking place, complemented by statewide ads via radio and cable TV throughout December. The HSO is also distributing more than 12,200 price tags with impaired driving messages to Christmas tree vendors, and vinyl window clings and wine bags with designated drivers messages to liquor stores. MADD Chesapeake is delivering cookies to officers conducting sobriety checkpoints. Local taxi programs are available to provide residents with free cab rides home. The annual Maryland Remembers Memorial, a living tribute to those who have lost loved ones in impaired driving crashes, brings state and federal leaders together with victims' families to remind citizens of the tragic consequences of drunk driving. The regional Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign is launching its holiday program as well, issuing press releases that include warnings about increased enforcement and reminding residents to report drunk drivers and designate a sober driver.

Massachusetts—With more than $550,000 in federal grant funding being made available, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division (EOPSS/HSD) is supporting a Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. high visibility enforcement mobilization from Dec. 16 - Jan. 2. The campaign involves: additional state police patrols and 135 (and counting) grant awards to local police departments focused on apprehending impaired drivers; paid and earned media on the dangers of drunk driving to spotlight these additional patrols; and supportive community-liquor law/underage drinking education and enforcement efforts. Enforcement includes saturation patrols and numerous sobriety checkpoints led by the State Police partnering with local police departments and utilizing two mobile Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) vehicles funded by EOPSS/HSD. A statewide press event involving traffic safety partners, law enforcement, and state officials is scheduled to lead into the Christmas holiday weekend and highlight the strong enforcement efforts of the state police during last month’s Thanksgiving weekend.

Michigan—Local, county and state law enforcement agencies across Michigan are taking part in a drunk driving crackdown that starts Dec. 16 and runs through Jan. 2. Agencies in 35 counties are dedicating extra patrols to drunk driving during the holidays. A news event to announce the campaign is planned for Dec. 17 in Detroit and will feature a vehicle with an ignition interlock. Interlocks are becoming more prevalent in the state under provisions of a new high BAC drunk driving law that took effect Oct. 31.

Minnesota—At a news conference on Dec. 3, the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety announced increased patrols throughout the month. Earned media is sustaining news coverage with various news pushes. The campaign is supported by a $200,000 paid media buy (TV/cable, radio, online, and out-of-home – including gas pump toppers and bar restrooms). Promotional efforts include partnerships with a beer distributor to distribute DWI enforcement-themed bar coasters, window clings and “Designated Driver Gift Cards” statewide. The website www.MinnesotaSafeandSober.org allows visitors to send an electronic "Designated Driver Gift Card." Partners are also using “Designated Driver Action Figures” at community/college sporting events as an interactive outreach and media promotion.

Mississippi—Mississippi is participating in the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. campaign from Dec. 16 - Jan. 3 to prevent crashes that result in death, injury and economic loss in the state. Law enforcement agencies are conducting call back details, safety checkpoints and saturation patrols.
The Mississippi Governors Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) is using a $300,000 budget to run paid media on TV and radio stations statewide.
GOHS is sending its Law Enforcement Action Kit (LEAK) to law enforcement, schools, and school resource officers statewide, asking them to help spread the message. On Dec. 17, GOHS is hosting a meeting of the Mississippi Association of Highway Safety Leaders (MAHSL), distributing LEAKs to them as well.
It is also conducting nine Law Enforcement Liaison Traffic Enforcement Network (TEN) meetings to encourage law enforcement to work vigorously enforcement throughout the crackdown. Presentations were also made at the STORM (Sobriety Trained Officers Representing Mississippi) Conference in November.
After the campaign, participating agencies submit completed blitz reports to GOHS, which are then compiled and submitted to NHTSA.

Missouri—Missouri's holiday campaign runs Nov. 22 through Dec. 19. Paid media includes radio, movie theater, cable TV, gas pump topper and digital advertising. The campaign's focus is on the human toll of impaired driving. A Facebook page was created at www.facebook.com/humantoll to remember those killed or injured in impaired driving crashes. On Dec. 9, a Missouri Remembers Day is being held at the State Capitol for state leaders, victims and victims' families to honor these victims. Statewide news releases are being sent out. On the enforcement side, law enforcement throughout the state received letters and emails encouraging them to step-up their DWI enforcement activities by conducting roving patrols, saturation patrols, and sobriety checkpoints. Agencies that report their activities to the Missouri highway safety office are included in a drawing for a new DWI enforcement vehicle.

Nebraska—The Omaha World Herald newspaper and an Omaha area television station are conducting a series of stories about drunk driving. The television station is also hosting a Town Hall meeting on the subject. A half day kick-off media event includes a live “wet lab” drinking demonstration regarding the impairment effects of alcohol. More than 60 law enforcement agencies are adding more than12,000 hours of additional drunk driving enforcement with checkpoints, saturation patrols, and underage drinking enforcements.

Nevada—In addition to the high visibility law enforcement campaign, the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is running its annual Home for the Holidays program, which offers drinking drivers free rides home for themselves, their vehicle and anyone in their party.
The program runs Dec. 17 - Jan. 1. Participating establishments can call for the service, and each pays a “membership” fee to offset the cost of the rides.
So far, more than 30 bars are have signed up. Each establishment receives vouchers that the bartender calling for the service must sign and date, buttons for the staff to wear, and posters to hang up.
OTS is promoting the participating bars to reward responsible tavern owners.
If the budget allows, the program may be open to anyone needing the service on New Year's Eve. The program generates a great deal of media interest, so OTS will provide TV stations with a poster board listing the participating establishments to use as a backdrop.

New Hampshire—New Hampshire kicked off its holiday activities covering Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years with its annual Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month and Safe Family Holidays luncheon on Nov. 22. The event was attended by the Governor, as well as approximately 200 law enforcement personnel, legislators, and highway safety advocates. Numerous state, county and local law enforcement agencies are conducting DWI patrols during the holiday period.

New Jersey—New Jersey law enforcement is cracking down on drunk drivers as part of the year-end Over the Limit. Under Arrest campaign. Approximately 115 local police agencies are receiving $5,000 grants for saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints. The New Jersey State Police is also participates. All police departments have received information packets on the initiative and are asked to participate and report their arrest statistics. A sample news release was distributed for police to send to local media to help further publicize their efforts. There is also a general release for statewide distribution. The program is featured prominently on the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety
website, where public education information and collateral campaign materials are readily accessible to local municipalities and the general public. Local municipalities are also using banners and mobile video display signs to further promote the dangers of drinking and driving.

New Mexico—This holiday season, New Mexico local, state and tribal law enforcement agencies are participating in a six-week long winter superblitz campaign from Nov. 19 - Jan. 9. Police are conducting checkpoints, saturation patrols and nighttime seatbelt enforcement. The superblitz kicked off with a press event where Governor Richardson announced New Mexico’s new media campaign “Drive Safe and Sober” asking people to designate a driver this holiday season. Television and radio ads feature people who made a difference fighting DWI by calling the #DWI hotline, designating a driver or choosing not to drink and drive, as well as an officer who made several DWI arrests. The television ad ends with Governor Richardson reminding people to continue to work together to fight DWI and keep up the good work.

New York—The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), the NY State STOP-DWI Association, and local and state police are joining forces to participate in the Holiday STOP-DWI Enforcement Crackdown running Nov. 16 - Jan 2. Saturation patrols, sobriety checkpoints and underage drinking bar sweeps are all part of the effort. In addition, county STOP-DWI programs are holding local press conferences to localize their message. GTSC has also begun airing its "Drinking and Driving Shatters Lives" television and radio commercial statewide through New Years. In addition, both the New York State Police and the STOP-DWI Association are airing public service announcements regarding the state’s recently enacted ignition interlock law. Finally, both the Chief’s of Police and Sheriffs’ Associations are publicizing the crackdown and associated crackdown materials on their respective websites.

North Carolina—The North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program is conducting its holiday Booze It & Lose It campaign Dec. 3 - Jan. 2. During this time, state and local law enforcement officers will participate in stepped up checkpoints and patrols. The Tree of Life ceremony and candlelight vigil will be held December 3 and will serve as the state's media event to kick off the mobilization. The Tree of Life is dedicated to the 1,346 lives lost in traffic crashes in 2009 on North Carolina roads, and the candlelight vigil remembers the 394 lives lost as a result of impaired driving. The Tree of Life remains on display at the State Capitol through Jan. 3.

North Dakota—The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) has launched a statewide, multi-agency program to create highly visible, sustained enforcement of drunk driving. The program has the commitment and participation of nearly 90 percent of the state's city, county, tribal and state law enforcement agencies. Enforcement teams work regionally to conduct DUI enforcement during high-risk times, including holidays. Regional ads depict officers working to curb drunk driving with the message, “If you choose to drink and drive, the odds are against you” and include the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. logo. Law enforcement, in partnership with local Community Traffic Safety Programs, are informing the public of the heightened enforcement through live radio remotes, news stories, newspaper editorials, distribution of campaign materials, and other impaired driving intervention programs.
From mid-December through New Year's Day, NDDOT is also airing an ad featuring a North Dakota law enforcement officer whose mother was killed by a drunk driver.

Northern Mariana Islands—The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Department of Public Safety has planned several activities for its 2010 December Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention (3D) Month campaign. Lt. Governor Eloy Inos has proclaimed Nov. 29 - Jan. 3 as National/CNMI Holiday Season Impaired Driving Month.
On Dec. 1, the 3D Month campaign kicked with a motorcade around the island to educate the general public that drinking and driving don't mix.
On weekend throughout the month, officers from various agencies will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and the highway criminal interdiction program. Other activities include candlelight vigils for community members to remember loved ones lost to an alcohol related crash as well as high school presentations. Media outreach includes TV, newspapers, local magazines, church bulletins, electronic signboards, back-to-back 4'X8' vinyl signboard installed on police vehicles, and AM/FM radio public service announcements. In addition, a designated driver program is being made available through private business sponsorships. Highway safety messages are also being imprinted on CNMI Government employee paychecks during December.

Ohio—Through the funding and coordination of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), local law enforcement around the state are planning more than 5,500 hours of enforcement this holiday season, including 11 sobriety checkpoints and more than 1,300 hours of saturation patrols. The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) will also ramp up their visible presence on the state's highways. Enforcement efforts are supported by a statewide paid media buy, using the Drunk Driving. Over The Limit. Under Arrest. message. Earned media efforts include a recent OSHP media release urging overall safe holiday driving. Another release focusing solely on sober driving is planned closer to Christmas. OTSO is also participating and partnering with MADD in its annual Tie One On For Safety red ribbon campaign.

Pennsylvania—Pennsylvania is conducting increased DUI enforcement throughout December as part of the statewide Operation Safe Holiday campaign. More than 600 municipal police and all State Police troops are expected to participate. Last year during the holiday crackdown, 252 DUI and 171 speeding citations were written. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Highway Safety & Traffic Engineering expects that increased police participation will lead to fewer impaired driving crashes and fatalities. Press conferences and other public awareness events, using the theme Safe Ride Home, are occurring in all 11 PennDOT districts. Additionally, video message boards across the state are displaying the Over the Limit. Under Arrest. message.

Rhode Island—The Rhode Island Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is conducting an aggressive media campaign to coincide with its overtime enforcement activities throughout the crackdown period. OHS is partnering with AAA of Southern New England and MADD-RI on a New Year’s Eve earned media event. Other recent activities include MADD's Red Ribbon announcement.

South Carolina—South Carolina's Sober or Slammer! holiday crackdown combines paid/earned media and law enforcement. The Department of Public Safety is investing about $250,000 in paid media, including a new 60-second TV ad to educate the public on the consequences of impaired driving and encourage them to report impaired drivers by calling *HP (*47). This new ad picks up where the last Labor Day campaign ad (which featured the day of a DUI arrest and the reaction of loved ones) concluded, following the drunk driver through life after the arrest. The state DOT is also featuring “Statewide DUI Crackdown in Progress” messages on its variable message boards during campaign weekends. Enforcement runs Dec. 16 – Jan. 3, with public safety checkpoints and saturation patrols. Local law enforcement participation is at more than 220 agencies, an all-time high. On Dec. 16, four press events around the state launch the campaign with the unveiling of the new TV ad. These press events will highlight a grant from the Office of Highway Safety to the South Carolina Commission on Prosecution Coordination to establish a Special DUI Prosecutor in each of the state’s 16 Judicial Circuits.

South Dakota—The South Dakota State Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies are scheduling their personnel to increase impaired driving enforcement activities through saturation patrols and mobilizations, along with high visibility on the roads. For the month of December through January 3, the public education message is on house parties, calling a designated driver and safe rides home. Media includes TV, radio, billboards, and print materials. The Office of Public Safety launched a new campaign, Someone Needs You. Buckle Up, in November, and a new alcohol awareness campaign will be launched in 2011.

Tennessee—Both local and state law enforcement will conduct multiple high visibility enforcement efforts in Tennessee throughout the holiday season. On Dec. 8, the state conducted a drunk and drugged driving press event, at which 303 luminaries glowed on the Tennessee state map on the Bicentennial Capitol Mall in remembrance of those killed in alcohol related crashes in 2009. The event was a huge success with three major TV stations and The Tennessean newspaper present.

Texas— Special impaired driving enforcement mobilizations are being conducted by law at various locations across the state. Many local law enforcement agencies are also conducting "No Refusal" enforcement efforts as a strategy to get drunk drivers off the roads. TxDOT is broadcasting its "Reindeer Barn" public service announcement on TV and online, and billboards statewide are featuring a “Santa’s Coming To Town” theme. A variety of interactive vehicles are planned for the 2010 campaign. Social media is delivering a designated driver message to the core audience through special communications from Santa on Facebook and MySpace, including a web video and interactive game on the Facebook page. Additional campaign components include gas pump topper ads, taxi toppers, eCast digital jukebox ads, restroom mirror decals, posters and coasters. Media runs through January 2.
Visit the TxDOT website to learn more.

Utah—The Utah Highway Safety Office (HSO) kicked off its Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest mobilization with a press event releasing the findings of a recent online survey of Salt Lake County residents' attitudes on drunk driving. The survey asked residents whether they thought more sobriety checkpoints would help cut down on DUI offenses and whether designated drivers drink before taking the wheel. A second press event will on Dec. 17, in partnership with Snowbird Ski Resort, targets the skiing population that vacations in Utah in the winter and may not be aware of Utah’s strict drunk driving laws. HSO has sent DUI overtime forms to all law enforcement in the state who will be participating in a high-visibility saturation DUI enforcement from Dec. 17 - Jan. 2.

Vermont—The Vermont Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) has provided grant funding for law enforcement agencies to mobilize throughout the holiday crackdown, including the use of DUI vans with license plate recognition systems and electronic message boards. Mailings are going out to a variety of law enforcement agencies; at least 30 police departments several other groups are expected to sign up. Each participating agency agrees to conduct patrols, participate in at least one checkpoint for a combined minimum total of 28 hours, and average a minimum 2.5 car stops per hour of enforcement time during the 14 day holiday crackdown period. Meeting these criteria qualifies them for a $1,500 credit towards the purchase of highway safety enforcement equipment. The GHSP has also partnered with the Vermont Teen Leadership and Safety Program and the Vermont Department of Corrections to sponsor the 20th Annual Red Ribbon Tree Ceremony, held at the Statehouse in memory of those Vermonters killed or injured in alcohol or other drug related crashes.

Virginia—Virginia is partnering with NHTSA Region 3 states on the campaign Checkpoint Strikeforce – Over the Limit, Under Arrest. This high visibility enforcement and media program works to lower DUI related crashes through aggressive enforcement and checkpoints. Virginia has one of the lowest fatality rates in the nation for alcohol related crashes and is on track to have the lowest number of alcohol related fatalities in over a decade, largely due to strong laws and very proactive law enforcement.

Washington—To publicize extra DUI patrols during the holidays, Washington is distributing 25 localized news releases throughout the state and pushing public service announcements in the form of TV, radio and web ads. Additionally, variable message signs on interstate and state routes are announcing “DUI patrols tonight,” officers are handing out educational rack cards at traffic stops, and messaged coasters are being used in bars. In the three most populous counties, the crackdown is also being supported by teams of state and local officers who conduct full-time DUI patrols, called “Target Zero Teams.” Letters and break room posters from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and the Liquor Control Board were sent to all liquor establishments in these counties asking them to tell their customers about the extra enforcement in their area and recommending they use sober designated drivers or take a taxi.

West Virginia—The West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program is conducting an enforcement blitz throughout December, with emphasis on the Christmas through New Year's time period. This includes an increased number of all three types of sobriety checkpoints: standard checkpoints, with 12 or more police officers on the major roads; low manpower checkpoints on the secondary and rural roads; and phantom checkpoint in areas where other types are not feasible. The number of saturation and directed patrols also is being increased. West Virginia encourages local police agencies to engage in multi-jurisdictional activities and to mix the types of checkpoints and other enforcement activities to emphasize the police presence throughout the state. Approximately 104 Municipal Police Agencies and County Sheriff’s Departments, as well as all 63 State Police Detachments are anticipated to participate in enforcement activities. The state is also increasing its paid and earned media efforts from the prior year.

Wisconsin—Wisconsin's' initiative, Booze and Belts, runs from Dec. 10-18. Law enforcement agencies that receive funds for overtime traffic enforcement are required to participate. Unfunded agencies that participate, report their enforcement numbers and do a press/media or community activity promoting the initiative are eligible for a drawing for one of twelve $4,000 equipment grants. This initiative results in a great deal of earned media, and receives a lot of publicity in rural areas through small town, weekly newspapers.
It is held intentionally just prior to the holidays, recognizing the staffing challenges for police agencies during the actual period. The timing also has the potential to address office Christmas party issues and sets a tone for the actual holiday period.
Last year, 138 of the unfunded and usually smaller agencies participated, as well as about 100 of those that receive overtime funding. Wisconsin expects similar or better participation for 2010.

Wyoming—Wyoming is running two campaigns this holiday season: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving (Nov. 30 - Dec. 12) and Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. (Dec. 13 - Jan. 3). Both are supported by a $20,000 television, radio and newspaper media budget and $45,000 in law enforcement support. Community events are centered in three counties: Laramie, Natrona and Fremont.
In Natrona County, "Open Season on Drunk Drivers" is in full swing. The campaign reminds the public that drunk drivers will be arrested. Posters in bars and restaurants promote the Tipsy Taxi program and encourage the reporting of drunk drivers through 911. On Dec. 14, the Governor was the keynote speaker at the press conference kickoff event.
In Laramie County, posters share the message "Looks Like Someone Had Too Much Holiday Spirit." and provide the Tipsy Taxi phone number. BAC cards are being distributed to bars and restaurants and to Laramie County Community College; and holiday ads appear in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
In Fremont County, newspaper ads and posters promote the campain, and radio talk shows are providing campaign messaging.